A movement called 'Hello Neighbour', formed just over two years ago to mobilise and inspire people to be good neighbours, celebrated its second anniversary last month.

The celebration was held at the Webster Memorial Church, on November 24, where approximately 100 'neighbours' gathered to say thanks to God for the success of the movement. To lend support to the occasion were Christian gospel artistes Robert and Jenieve Bailey, Jason Mighty, Norris Campbell, Dionne Fowler-Lee, Peter Marshall and others who all sang and played songs of inspiration that encouraged patrons to look out for their neighbours.

The vision

Founder of the movement, Christian motivator and actor, Silton Townsend (formerly Mass Gussie of Lime Tree Lane), said that he got the vision more than 12 years ago to start a programme through the media (a talk-show) that would encourage Jamaicans here and abroad to become more 'neighbourly'.

However, things did not get off the ground until November 2005 with a half-hour stint on LOVE 101 FM where the programme, hosted by Silton himself, is still being aired every Wednesday from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. On the Internet: love101.org

According to Mr. Townsend, the primary purpose of this programme is to inspire Jamaicans to become more helpful to one another, more solutions-oriented and more willing to see problems as opportunities for success rather than recipes for failure. The talk-show encourages the sharpening of coping skills, personal growth, better human relations, sharing with others and community spirit, which foster hope, confidence and trust in God and love for one another.